The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-20
RELIGIOUS MATTERS.

General Assembly of the Cumberland Presby-
terians-A Ruling Elder Chosen Moderator.
Bpeciai to the Indianapolis journal
CovINGToN, o., May 19.--The ffty-seventh
General Assembly of the Cumberland Presby
terian Church met in the Cumberland Presby
teran Church of this little city at III o'clock this
morning The church building, which is
beautiful and commodious ediice erected in
1885, had its main room comfortably filed with
delegates, visitors and citizens In the absence
of last years moderator, DR.. Crlsman, of Texas,
who, though present in tho city is so sick as to
be unable to attend the assembly. Rev. T. c.
Blake, D. D., the stated clerk called the meet
ing to order. He announced that the sick mod
orator had selected Rev. 2. l.. Moad. of Mis-
souri,, to preach the opening sermon of the ses-
sicn, a duty which regularly falls to the presid-
ing officer of the previous year. Rev. Moad
took for his text Ephesians iv. His sermon
dealt with 1.-The Vocation of the Christian
Church" The reverend gentleman, though not
an eloquent speaker, is a quite forcible one.
At the conclusion of the sermon Rev. James
Ritchey of Martinsville, Ind, the Oldest minis
prayer, and its close the stated clerk declared
the meeting ready for business. A recess until
p NJ was Immediately taken.
When the assembly met in the afternoon DR..
Crisman was able TO take his place as presiding
officer The stated clerk then proceeded to call
the roll. which showed 176 delegates present
Dr. blake announced lnhb TIE cn1rcH now cOu-
tanned 119 presbyteries and twenty-five synods.
This mum ber of synods is two less than last year,
three in Illinois having been consolidated into
The basis of representation is one minis
ter and one elder for each presbytery having less
than eighteen ministers enrolled, while those
that have more than that number entitled
10 four delegates-two from the ministry and
two from the eldership.
The next duty the election OF moderator
for this session of the assembly. Rev. j. NJ.
Hubert, of Lincoln ILL.,. Rev j. s Howard, of
Oxford. Miss; Rev. S. l.. Russell. of Alabama;
Rev. E. T. Bowers. of Greensboro, KY. and
Judge N Green, of Lebanon Tenn, were named
Judge Green is a ruling elder and the fact that
until lately only ministers were considered eigi-
BILE to the moderatorshp and that the question
of the eligibility of elder is yet mooted one.
caused quite discussion on the propriety of
electing the Tennessee gentleman. 1t was finally
moderator while the question of elder derators
discussed. A revulsIon of feeling, though,
seemed to take place in the assembly soon, and
the discussion was dropped while the house
turned to the election In the end Judge Green
was elected by majority over all his opponents.
He is the second elder elected to the Office in the
assembly, and his election practically settles the
question.
The delegates present from Indiana are Rev.
c. w. Yates, Petersburg. for Indiana Presby-
tery; Rev. S. j. Martin. Bloomfield, for Morgan
Presbytery, end Rov. James Ritchey, of Mar
tinsville. for Wabash Presbytery, together with
elders from each presbytery
Revs. Thos Penick. of Danville, and Jas.
Best, Of Logansport, are here as visitors
The question of organic union between the
Cumberland Presbyterian and Methodist Protest
will likely draw forth a very interesting and
lively discussion.